Sunday May 7th 2009

What a week. On monday I began the lovely week out with the scouts/varsities/ventures for there biannual Aaronic Priesthood encampment. Its a combination of spiritual info with physical info with scouting activities. None of the 6 leaders going had much of a clue as to how things were going to run. Once we got there we had a meeting that explained more fully how things were going to run. We were quite perturbed about several things that should have been made known prior to. 

I have been assigned to assist with the varsity boys but the ventures were short leaders so I attended with them. We found out that we were not going to need to pack much for the big hike we had planned. The varsity boys on the other hand were going for a 4 night backpacking adventure. They had assumed that they would be given food at each outpost. On arrival to camp the boys were informed that they would receive the food and have to pack it along. This was a total shocker and packaging was slim with litle space for food. 

The hike for the ventures was a 3 mile hike as the crow flies. We did not hike as the crow flies. The hke was in a canyon with water all over the place (Obviously). We tredged through water dirt rocks and lots of land. /we hcked south then north the west then east then every which way in between. We were told that it took some of the leaders about 6 hours to hike. When asked if they had boys with them they said no. to complicate things further we didn't even get started til really late (11 A). The last boy crawled out of the canyon at about 9 P. The hike was treaturous but lots of fun. Had we not had to worry about the boys it would have been much better. 

The varsity boys had a much rougher situation to deal with. Joe simper one of the leaders with the varsity boys began feeling dehydrated and sick. Zack olsen the other varsity boy leader thought he could help by running fast to the next outpost to get help for the boys that were struggling and for joe simper. Zach barely made it out and was severly dehydrated himself with tremors, weakness, slurred speech, and altered mental status. He was sent to the hospital in ambulance. Once in the hospital he received two bags of saline and felt lots better. The staff discharged him out and he returned to camp. There Trent woods and I had a bed ready for him and tucked him in haha. 

I really enjoyed the outing despite the difficulties because I got to know each of these leaders a bit better. I spent most of the campout with Trent Woods. He is a general contractor for Woods construction a family started business of several years ago. I really got to know who he is and what kind of person he is. I had thought of him as a kind of stuck up and sour individual that was a bit self righteous. Come to find out he is quite the opposite. A very not self righteous individual with lots of wonderful comments. He admires each of the boys and encourages them so much. It was fun to see him work with them. I am amazed at how much time and effort he puts into the scouting thing. 

I also got to know Zach Olsen. He is a bit self righteous and a bit too mormony for my liking. But I got to see a very different side of him. We discussed several things about the church and the things people expect the church to do for them. Its riduculous. 

I was planning on coming up from camp on Thursday to go to work, but my grandmother ended up dying on Tuesday. I came home instead to go to the funeral and call off work Friday. Friday we drove up to Logan Utah and Smithfield Utah where my grandmother resides. My mother had been at the house and hospital with grandma for about a week by that time waiting for her to dye. It was really neat to see the family and friends at the funeral. I was asked to give the life sketch of grandma's life. It was kind of a challenge. I enjoyed diong it because I enjoy celebrating the life she lived. 

My favorite part of the story was of shoe boxes. I remember several times being asked to take her to the shoe store any time I visited. We would bring back a pair of shoes she did not like any more and return them for some new ones. Come to find out she had done this to get some more shoe boxes. She stored all the letters, bills and other miscelleaneous info in these shoe boxes. What a sneaky grandma. I remember several wonderful times with her. She lived to be 87 years old, married to Wallace Spring for 67 years that passed away about 4 years earlier. 

My mother was one of 5 children. Wallace was the oldest, Mary ellen, Sharon then her twin Karen (My Mother), then Craig. All of the children were able to hang out at the hospital and close by for the last week of her life allowing some good laughter and tears together. I really enjoyed knowing my mother was able to be with them and laugh and cry together. 

Grandma was seeing her husband and seeing Skipper the last few days before death. She reiterated the fact that her husband loved them so much. 

Driving up to Utah for the funeral with my father and sister was quite fun. I had some time to bond with my father. It was tight quarters but fun to get to hang out with my father. I really enjoy discussing the meaning of life with him. I have yet to figure it out. 

I do feel fairly strongly that some sort of larger and more powerful being lives. I feel as though he loves me and cares about me. I also feel as though I am headed in the right direction and feel very good about my life. I look forward to each new day. 

During the hiking experience and after I kept remembering my new goals. I really feel as though those goals will lead to lots of feeling good and enjoyment and a happy life. I loved being home with my wife this afternoon. She is such a wonderful woman. I admire every opportunity I get to hang out with her. Fortunately I get to sleep in bed with her by my side this evening. 

May 31th 2009

Well it has been a while since I last wrote. I guess the nighly routine didn't go so well. This last week has been great. On Monday I worked at PMT ambulance with my current partner Ben Fagerlie. We were on unit 434. I don't remember howmany calls we ran on Monday. As always life was really fun.

Tuesday I slept in and decided to play with our dog Oliver a bit. I have been feeling a bit lonely and depressed on the days that I am home. Not sure why. I have one really bug theory that involves the heat of Arizona. Phoenix area gets so hot and its only beginning. I don't really think that is what causes the discomfort because at work on the ambulance we are in almost black uniforms and in the heat. I do not feel uncomfortable or depressed then. So who knows. Maybe its the TV I watch.

Wednesday we again worked on the ambulance together Ben and I. Wednesday I began a tradition I hope to keep alive. That is I brought a large cooler, blender, fruit and stuff to make shakes. I also stopped by the grocery store to pick up some snacks for the day. I did this in order to save money during the day from buying meals. Also to eat healthier. The truck has an inverter that made it possible to make the shake. I had to reduce some of the power being used in order to get the blender to work but atleast it worked. It was funny and gave both my partner an dI a laugh.

On Thursday I was at home during the day resting and watching tv. Bored and lonely and mildly depressed again. But the evening was really cool My wife was supposed to go to a meeting for relief society in the Coolidge 2nd ward. The meeting ended up being cancelled so we got to hang out together. We made some yummy foods and watched a short movie. After that she worked on a puzzle and I drew a coloring book page with some crayons. I have enjoyed that. Katie really likes to put puzzles together. I don't get into it that well. But I do enjoy drawing or simply watching her put them to gether. I get all tingly watching her.

Friday Ben and I were put into another truck so it took us a lot longer to get ready in the morning. We had to check out the full ride ensuring that we had all the necessary items for the day. We ended up running only 5 calls that day. They tried to stiff us with a late call, but we asked them if we could skip running it because we didn't want to be late. They let us off on time. After we got back the unit that ended up running that call had only ran 4 calls for the whole 24 hours where as we had already ran 5 calls in 18 and supposed to be off. That irritates me so much, but oh well. After all we got off on time. On wednesday after we worked we decided that it would be fun to play frisbee golf while on shift. Ben said he had some frisbees he could bring withi him on Friday. So we got to go play a bit on Friday which was fun.

Saturday I slept in til like 9:30 AM. At which time Katie came in to wake me up. Her method of waking me up was sicking the dog on me and having him lick and nudge up against me. It worked very well. haha. She also had some wonderful biscuits and gravy for us ready to eat. They were delicious. What a wonderful wifey I have. After waking up we decided to go to the temple. Which we had already planned on doing on Saturday. In arrival to the temple we were asked if we wanted to do some sealings while there. We had planned on doing a session, but Katie felt like fulfilling the need in the sealing room so we went. I really wanted to do a session. We ended up doing a session after the sealings. It was one really long day at the temple. I enjoyed it though. Katie has felt really weird and "dumn" as she goes through the session because she doesn't have the dressing stuff figured out nor the wording during the session and veil ceremony. Last time we went to the temple I sat and explained the proccess to the veil ceremony she really enjoyed that and ended up figuring out the system to the wording and was not so lost. This time she did really well with the wording but ended up confusing some of the clothing issues and felt really stupid about it. I tried to explain to her that it wasn't that big of a deal. I ended up telling her about times I had screwed up the wardrobe thing and that made her feel better so she says.

Saturday evening after going to the temple we stopeed by my parents house and changed clothes and went to dinner with my father and sister and nephew (Scott Brian Todd, Tiffany Renae Meerfeld, and Noah Meerfeld). My mother, Karen Spring Todd, is in Utah with her mother Mary Spring who is ill. Mary Spring is about to finish her travels in life. She has been put on hospice and family is only awaiting the final ticket. Its rather annoying that she has lasted the last few days. Everyone is ready for her to go she is ready to go and family keeps encouraging her to go, but she is holding out. It makes it more painful waiting for the process. Oh well some greater being has a plan and a process I guess. After finishing dinner with my family we returned home to 2125 W Broadway Ave, Coolidge, AZ 85228, United States of America. Once at home we petted Oliver and headed off to game night with some friends (Dan and Kristen Shumway, Jason and Haily Miller, Mike and Jamie Bigers). We had the game night at the house of the millers. We have done this a few times and thoroughly enjoyed the event. Katie and I really like games. We play several games with our neighors the Malicdems (Lyneal and Marlena and newly born Gwen). We also went on a cruise with the Malicdems. It was a blast.

Game night was really fun. After that we got home and took dog outside to play games with him a bit in the back yard. We played catch and watched the stars. I really like having grass in our lawn. The yard looks really great. So Saturday after getting home I went outside and enjoyed the stars and the soft feel of the grass on the feet. Friday while I was with Ben on the ambulance we went out and shopped at sports authority. We saw some fun games to get into. I wanted to get a game called bocce ball. It looked like some fun. Supposedly you throw some balls around and try to hit each ball. Someday I prob will buy the game. Maybe we'll be able to play some day on shift.

Sunday morning was Grrreeeeaaaaaattttt!!!!! One of our sunday morning routines has become Sex. Katie is most often excited and aroused in the mornings. So we enjoy each other on Sunday mornings knowing there is not much stress to be had. It is usually a really good day haha. After that I got ready for a camping trip with the young men this week I had to pack a bunch of things in a pack for camping a week. I am really excited to go camping with them I really enjoy backpacking and hiking. I don't do it enough but really enjoy it.

I almost forgot to mention the insight I had while in the temple. I was sitting there thinking about life and decide I wanted to have one or two main goals in life with which I could achieve. I decided on two wonderful goals. First ensure that my wife and future children know that I think they are special to me. Second enjoy life. I always want my family to be first in priority after that I want to ensure tha tI am enjoying life. I figure that is a very recachable goal because I can force my self to enjoy each moment. I don't need to aspire to be the best paramedic or the best doctor or the best at anything because that is nearly impossible. In stead all I want to do is enjoy each moment of life. Surely there will be times that I will not enjoy, but my goal will be to enjoy life.

At church today I was asked by Lyneal to sit in on the baby blessing of thier daughter Gwen. I thought Lyneal did an exciellent job of blessing the baby. I would be extremely nervous, but he did really well and didn't show the nervousness much at all. Then both Lyneal and Marlena got up and bore there testimonies. It was quite magnificent. Katie and I really enjoyed it. I was really excited about Lyneal asking me to participate in the blessing of the baby. They are such good friends. We are very glad they are enjoying the little girl they have.

After church we hurried home to go hang out with Lyneal's family and friends that were at the sacrament meeting for the baby blessing. They left really early and we were not able to see them, but we ended up heping to clean and chat with them for a bit. I was kind of bummed I didn't get to say hi, not to mention play a game of poker with the family members. Oh well I guess there are better things to do. haha.

Once we got to home Katie and I watched a Disney movie. We watched Sleeping Beauty. This is one of Katie's favorite movies. She has decided to make it a goal to collect disney movies. I really like the idea. I keep imagining watching a Disney movie with popcorn and treats on Sundays with family members. That to me would be so much fun. Maybe someday that could become a reality.

Well for today it looks like the end of journaling. Katie has come to get me and encourage me to go to bed. I probably should because I have to get up early tomorrow for our camping trip. I have a full week ahead. Yahoo.

Curiosity

My wife an I bought a beautiful dog named Joey from the pound. We proceeded to call him Oliver after the orphan boy Oliver Twist because we rescued him from the pound. The thing that caught our eye more than anything was his curiosity. As we were walking into the pound hall being hounded by the obnoxious barking of some 30 dogs Oliver caught our eyes. Instead of following suit and barking at us the intruders to these dogs society he was busy following a piece of paper as the wind tossed it to and fro. We have fallen in love with him despite his obnoxious behaviour at times.

This evening we watched the comedy Marley and Me. It was a really good emotional pulling movie about a family and there dog. Believe it or not both Katie and I were wheeping as we watched the family have to put the dog to sleep. Needless to say we are dreading the day we have to put him to sleep.